Justice At A Glance
Keywords: Justice, fairness, equality, fight for change, legal matters, power, unjust, unfairness, abuse of power, victory
Seasons: Autumn
Zodiac/Planet: Libra
Justice Tarot Card Description
Justice is the twelfth card within the major arcana, numbered as 11. Alighted with RWS (Rider Waite Smith) which most modern day tarot cards are based on Justice presents as a regal man in red robes holding a large sword in his right hand and a pair of golden scales in his left.
The scales represent justice and they sit perfectly level within the image. The composition of the card is completely symmetrical other than the items in the man’s hands. The scales hang down on the right and the sword rises up in the air on the left.
This stark difference in otherwise perfect symmetry draws our eye directly to them because they stand out. It suggests whomever passes the sentence should be the one to wield the sword. That judgement and punishment go hand in hand and to use one without the other causes unbalanced chaos.
Justice Upright Meaning
When the Justice card is turned over in a card reading and is in its upright position (the art work is right side up) it generally symbolizes quite literally that justice will be served. If we have legal matters or have been on the receiving end of an unfair deal or an unjust act then we are about to see a swift outcome restoring fairness and balance.
In all areas of life it looks like a leveling and having retribution brought down on those whom have done wrong to us. We may need to fight very hard for this outcome but we are in the right and the powers that judge will see this and favor us. We will be victorious.
“Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.” - George Washington
Justice Reversed Meaning
If the Justice card’s art appears upside down) then it goes by its reversed meaning. Justice reversed, is about that which is unjust. It means even though we are in the right the outcome will not be in our favor.
Though it will be very difficult we are being asked not to hold onto this because harboring a grudge is destructive to ourselves in the long term. We must find a way to rebuild and move on from this. Turning to our loved ones and community at this time for support can be helpful.
“Life without liberty is like a body without spirit.” - Kalhil Gibram
Justice: Yes or No
Justice is a pure matter of fact yes. No ifs buts or coconuts. It says if we deserve a yes then it is so. Whether that yes preludes to go or bad Justice says we get what we deserve so factor this in when asking a simple yes or question and getting the Justice card.
If reversed then Justice gives the reader a simple unbiased no.
Let’s Break Down Justice In Our Lives
How Justice card applies to our lives in more detail and what it means more specifically within the different areas of our life.
Justice In Love
If the reader has asked a question about love either romantic or platonic and the Justice card appears then it can suggest an equal and well balanced partnership in which each partner experiences mutual gain and unconditional love.
Reversed Justice in love can mean one side of the partnership is giving way too much and not receiving an equal share of love and shared resources. This causes bitterness and contempt as time goes on. The card suggests we need to have an honest conversation and work together to try to establish balance once again.
Justice With Money
If the Justice card appears when a question about money has been asked it is suggesting we will get out exactly what we put in. If we have done the work we will receive the rewards. It also means any slacking off or failure on our part will not go unnoticed or unpunished. We must take responsibility for our actions both good and bad. We must give our word and stick to it. This card is seen as a win or victory with money.
Reversed Justice with money means we could end up putting in and not receiving. This looks like losing investments or a bad investment. There is a valuable lesson to be learned here so nothing is ever a complete loss. This card reversed regarding money is a sign of loss or failure.
Justice At Work
When asking a question about a situation at work or about our careers the Justice card can mean an unfair situation at work causing us anxiety will finally be remedied in our favor. Swift and fair justice will mean the wrong doing will be discovered and our lives will be much better for it. If we see wrong behavior we must speak up and act morally.
Reversed Justice at work suggests an unfair situation at work that has been ongoing for sometime and causing us stress will go unresolved. Or it could be resolved in an unsatisfactory way or otherwise not in our favor.
The overall feeling is the same, we feel that justice has not been served and are not happy with the outcome. We can try to take the situation higher up but we need to prepare and learn from this situation to have better success in the future.
Justice With Others
If we are asking about our external world, either our immediate world of people we know or the world at large and we get the Justice card as an answer it means the community must band together to affect a great change that isn’t possible for one person to do alone. We need to play the long game and find our community. This is the only way we can bring down the corrupt power systems by rallying together.
Reversed Justice with others can signify someone abusing the power they hold over us. It can be small scale as an individual like a boss or it can mean larger scale with governments and whole systems. The overall feeling is the same, feeling repressed and frustrated.
Justice With Self
The Justice card relates to our internal world and there being the need to balance 2 competing or busy areas of our lives. We may feel like these areas are irrevocably clashing but there is a way to compromise and blend these areas in harmony. We are being asked to have an open mind and keep the big picture in mind whilst we slowly work towards balancing once again.
Reversed the Justice card with self can symbolize letting ourselves down and unfairly asking too much from ourselves. Demanding perfection from ourselves and never giving ourselves breaks eventually leads to burnout and sometimes even depression.
We can ask ourselves ‘would I expect this from my friends or loved ones?’ And begin talking to ourselves internally the same way we would speak to them.
Justice As Feelings
The Justice card feels like righteousness, sometimes too righteous if we take the reversed into the equation. It feels like fighting for Justice, enacting change and raising awareness for causes that need help and support.
It feels like victory and overcoming unfairness/corruption. It feels like the end of nearly every ‘splosions-filled superhero movie.
